“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

It’s the day they announce promotions at work and Roberta C. is anxious and hopeful.  After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, Roberta learned that her colleagues Karen and Arun have been promoted. And her in case, her boss informed her that she has to improve on certain OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and if she does well, she can count on being counted in the promotion list.

The immediate sensation is one of disappointment and a tinge of jealousy.  What have Karen and Arun done more than her to deserve it? Roberta thought about all aspects where she is superior to them: Better education from a better school, more experience in the field, and worked her tail off including some weekends.

But what Roberta does not appreciate is the additional things that Karen and Arun have done over the couple of years that have given them a head start and a leg up in the promotion sweepstakes.

Seeds that you Plant:

Arun volunteered to help roll out DevOps over two years across the company while keeping up with his core responsibilities.  Karen has been extensively involved in campus recruiting. While the last couple of projects Roberta led have had issues, Karen and Arun have been a part of significant product success. (Of course, not a single person is responsible for a failure but being a part of the leadership team of failed endeavors does figure negatively.)

In addition to the work tasks, Karen and Arun have built many alliances and had supporters across the company.  In the case of Roberta, sometimes her brusque delivery of even accurate news and valuable rubbed people the wrong way.

In most corporations, while degrees and experience may be an essential aspect of the hiring decision, it does not matter one an employee is on board. The considerations for promotion, assuming the company is a meritocracy and there is fair play, are often a critical build-up competencies, capacity, caliber, and commitment.  And it does not hurt to cultivate allies and well-wishers who will go to bat for you. (If the company is a bastion of meritocracy and fair play, then Roberta will have a genuine complaint.)

So, what we sowed yesterday is what we reap today and what we sow today is what we realize tomorrow.

The seeds that you plant today is what will determine your future. So, instead of lamenting the woes of the moment, Roberta should plan and work on things that may pay dividends in the future.

Was Roberta right to be disappointed and jealous? What should be her future course of action?

What seeds are you planting at work (or in life) that you can reap tomorrow?

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?